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looking at a LA110 19.5 from home depot

27K views 20 replies 18 participants last post by  tomhole 
#1 ·
Hi all

I am looking at getting a la110 from my local home depot to mow my half acre lot. I dont want to spend a ton but I dont want some pile of crap either. Any advice would be appreciated. I was hoping to use this to push a small amount of snow off of the driveway, mow my lawn and maybe have a small utility trailer for leaves and what not.

Thanks again.
 
#3 ·
I would second the comment about getting the better trans since you're thinking about moving snow. I don't think the LA's are really designed for plowing snow, but maybe I'm being too conservative; both a plow blade and a blower are available for the LA's, as well as wheel weights. Getting more trans moves you up to the 130, where you also get the 48" deck, included mulch plug, bigger rear wheels, and an electric PTO switch.

The two-cylinder engine (120 and up) also rides nicer with a little less vibration.
 
#8 ·
This really is good advice.

I needed surgery recently and was going to a general surgeon with an excellent history. A good friend called me and asked who was the best specialist for painting a Triumph motorcycle tank. I gave him the name of the two I have used. He then asked me if a car painter could paint the scallops on a Triumph tank. I told him to go to the specialist for the best job. He then asked me why was I dealing with a general surgeon. I had no answer!! Found a specialist near our home. Turns out there were some complications and I am really grateful for that advice.

When you want to buy some cheap stuff, HD is fine. When you want to buy a larger ticket item where service will eventually be important, start with the JD dealer.

Just my .10EURO worth of advice. I no longer have $.10 advice, since the $ is in such poor shape right now.
 
#6 ·
I have a 2003 JD L-120 which were the orginals of the L-series line, they have been called the L-series for a couple years, then the 100 series last year and the LA series this year. MY L-120 came with the twin cylinder engine and the better transaxle and 48" deck. I bought the lawn tractor in March 3, 2003. The actual orginal of this line goes back to 2001 and were called Scott tractor made by John Deere.

This is a good lawn tractor and will do everything that you listed as long as you do exceed the limits of the tractor. The only thing is I would have to agree to what everyone here stated and go with a dealer for service and go up a couple sizes. The bigger deck puts the deck out further from the side of the tractor so that you can mow closer to flower beds, trees and the sidewalk. I would also be inclined to go with the snow blower as the plow just doesn't really work that well with the tractor as they are light in the rear and if you get the weights and the chains it still slips arounds a bit on wet snow, I know because I had a plow on mine in snow and it did slide around quite a bit.

This has been the most durable lawn tractor I have ever bought and I just this week had only the 2nd part break on it in 340 hours of weekly lawn mowing, the first time was a spindle broke after I hit a tree root (not the tractors fault operator error) and this week a weld broke on the deck lift shaft. The new part only costs $12.00 so I am going that route, I could reweld it and it would be fine but the ends are getting worn a bit and will need replacement anyway pretty soon.
 
#7 ·
Hello Jimmystractor!I have the baby of the LA100 series (LA100) and so far after 5 cuts no problems.I cut a 1 acre lot mostly level with a few small areas of up to 10 degree slopeing.The only complaint i can say is that in tall grass if i keep the deck down abit too low or drive fast!my bagger shoot will clog up.This may just be a common problem with using a bagger since this is my first tractor with a bagger.I just use it for mowing and sometimes using a small Agri-Fab trailer.I agree with others that if you plan to do more with a tractor i would get a LA120 or higher.I dont beleive the LA100 series is CHEAP!! Its made for people like me that cant afford to spend alot of $$$ on a tractor.With proper care and TLC it should last 10 years or more.PS! I bought mine at lowes and got the 3 year extended warrinty
 
#9 ·
I have to agree with danbike -

JD and the big box have an agreement that the big box cannot under-sell a servicing dealer for the same machine...So what is the incentive to buy it at the big box?

The 5-Star JD dealer I purchased my JD X300 from has their sticker under every "LA" series hood at the big box because they set those machines up. Nobody at the big box near me knows the time of day so you'll have every opportunity to make a bad choice there if you don't know exactly what you're looking for.

There's no service or parts a the big box, no advice, no delivery, etc. Plus they are glad to sell you the machines that sat out in the rain for a month with a moldy seat and rusty hardware, all for the agreed on fixed price. Bargain?:banghead3

I went to the dealer and drove an L125 ($2,000) and an X300 ($2,800) side by side. Didn't bat an eye at the $800 premium on the X300. Best choice of all.:greendr: JD financing made it easy, and everybody won but the big box...and they don't need to win any more...

As far as throwing snow goes...I went with a Toro Powermax 828XLE for $300 less than the snowthrower alone on the Deere - Then you add wheel weights, chains, wear and tear on the Deere. Big time, Big $$. Just push a botton on the Toro and you're throwing 2000 lbs. of snow a minute. Done in minutes, no converting the tractor summer to winter and back, no wear and tear, tearing your back up putting on wheel weights, etc. You're back in the house in no time. And yes, that came from a dealer for the same money as a Sears-like machine at the big box.

That's my two cents!:thThumbsU

JMC
 
#15 ·
I am in central CT and starting to think I need to replace my MTD. Thinking of a JD. What dealer did you use?
 
#10 ·
Go see the JD dealer. We might ***** about them now and then but some service is better then no service. I also can't stand buying anything even small things from people that do not have a clue. Good luck and when you get it home post some pictures please!!! :bannana: :bananapow :bannana:
 
#11 ·
Very good point about the dealer. My wife and I are hours away from pulling the trigger on an LA130. We went to the dealer and get the full JD 30 day satisfaction guarantee (not available through HD or Lowes), free delivery, and according to the dealer, they like to take care of their own customers before the warranty work of those bought at box stores.

Something to think about as the price will be the same if not cheaper.
 
#13 ·
Here in Moose Jaw I was talking to the Dealer just a couple days ago when we bought the X500 and he was telling us they make abt $120.00 on the LA stuff and that is before they spent the time making sure the customer get a properly assembled machine and in Regina at HD all you do is get the HD credit card and boom 10% off the cost of the tractor and now it is cheaper than a dealer can sell it. He said he wished JD never made them sell the LA series as all they are to him is a headache. Low end tractors are starting to be like computers, we the user are our own worst enemy as we put price before quality and service and then wonder where the local dealer went when we want service. Buy from the dealer you won't be sorry other than the few $$$ more you spent but it will be returned in spades if you have a problem.
 
#14 ·
I told somebody at TORO that if they want to sell out to the Big Boxes they should open a factory owned and operated service center for warranty work in every major city.

They, JD, and all the big name companies are cutting the throats of the people that built them up, and at the same time they put the customer in a bad position when the item needs help. Any corner harware store with a franchise or any major dealer will always give those who bought from them priority over a customer that bought from the Big Box.

I only buy sundries from the Big Box. If I want paint, I can get Benjamin Moore as cheap from a store that knows paint. If I want hardware, I have
(2) hardware stores nearby that blow away the Big Box. If I want Power Equipment, I've always done better at a Dealer. Same for Plumbing supplies.

The only way the Big Box wins is through extended business hours and the credit card. Most working folks end up there after dinner when the specialists and dealers are closed.:Disgus:
 
#16 ·
Jimmy I would go so far as to say, buy a used JD from the JD Dealer, you'll get more tractor, service, advice and you know its been gone over.

Heed the advice of others, I can't state it any better.
 
#17 ·
I agree with the others, go to a dealer. you have to go there for service if you buy from HD or Lowe's anyway. Of course do your homework and make sure the dealer is a good one.

The advantage of buying a JD at HD is the charge card but since JD has a 12 month no payment plan that makes the sale.

To the poster that said you could get 10% off your JD at HD with a coupon, it ain't going to happen. Read the fine print on the coupon and the first name excluded from 10% off is JD.

My suggestion, like always, is to get a snowthrower. Areins makes equipment comparable to my old TroyBilt. A plow can be a pain and the beating it does to your JD isn't worth the few bucks.

Good luck in your choice. I like my 130.
 
#18 ·
I am no expert and pretty much a glorified back yard mechanic part time. That being said I repair mowers on the side. I have found this LA 110 to be as big a piece of sh^% as any storefront MTD!! Let me be fair and qualify the statement. I have repaired three in the last week. Stretched out belts needing the cable adjustment. Deck idler pullies completely shot. That idler pully has a bearing in the middle too!!! Many other nickel dime problems I find ridiculous!! But in fairness you are not paying for a real " John Deere". I guess if you have a perfectly level 3/4 acre yard to mow they would last a long time. Also you need to cut the lawn when it needs it and NEVER let it get too long where the tractor has to work! I have a Dixie Chopper cause I have a big and partly rough 5 acres to cut. This mower I believe could cut down redwood trees at full throttle! So again maybe I am a tad rough of my critisism of this mower. But for the price I guess its probably as good as any. Plus its painted GREEN!!
 
#20 ·
I was all set to pay $1,800 for a shiny, new D130 last Saturday. Decided to call around to the used dealers and found a beautiful 325 with 800 hours and a 48" deck for $1,800. After seeing both of them, I opted for the 13 year old tractor. It certainly is built like a tank. No regrets. The D130 frame scared me because I have steep hills and a very bumpy acre to mow. I think the D130 is a fine mower. But this 325 is in a whole different class. I think it will last another 13 years.
Seeing as how this is a six year old thread you guys replied to, the points are probably mute to the OP :coffee:.
 
#19 ·
I was all set to pay $1,800 for a shiny, new D130 last Saturday. Decided to call around to the used dealers and found a beautiful 325 with 800 hours and a 48" deck for $1,800. After seeing both of them, I opted for the 13 year old tractor. It certainly is built like a tank. No regrets. The D130 frame scared me because I have steep hills and a very bumpy acre to mow. I think the D130 is a fine mower. But this 325 is in a whole different class. I think it will last another 13 years.
 
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